Dramatic discovery
For Don Cleary, associate professor of drama and music at Paine College, choosing works for the school's series of one-acts by black playwrights was a quest to educate, illuminate and entertain.

Video watch
Here are reviews from Roger Ebert and other critics of some recent video releases.

Galas are important to center
For four years, the National Science Center has been proving that galas and golf can share a calender square in Augusta.

Technicolor's explosion of hues colored classics
Let's debunk a Masters Tournament myth right now. The always beautiful course at the Augusta National is not the riot of spring color that golf fans reverently whisper about. Sure, there are banks of pink azalea, and an ivory-white dogwood here and there.

Testimony probably over in contraction case
MILWAUKEE -- After 20 days of testimony over four months from nine witnesses, the hearing phase of the grievance by baseball players to block contraction likely came to an end Wednesday.

Braves notebook
PHILADELPHIA - It's been almost 15 years, but Tom Glavine still has vivid memories of his first major league start.

Braves top Phillies, 6-2
PHILADELPHIA -- We should have known that on a frigid night, with a hockey rink right across the street, there was no way the Philadelphia Phillies would succeed in scoring on Tom Glavine.

Business briefs
Comcast Cable has opened a free high-speed Internet service station with 10 desktop computers, open from noon to 9 p.m. each day during Masters Week.

Tax tips for last-minute taxpayers
You're in good company if you're one of the 30 million taxpayers who haven't filed yet: The Internal Revenue Service expects 21.8 million Americans to huddle with our 2001 taxes this weekend and a record 8.2 million of us to get an automatic extension.

Making Connections
Local chamber of commerce officials are calling this year's Red Carpet Tour the best in years in terms of guests connecting with Augusta.

Unemployment claims drop
ATLANTA - The number of people making initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits in Georgia declined by 12 percent in March, but Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond cautioned that thousands are still without jobs.

Business briefs
WASHINGTON - Under indictment on an obstruction of justice charge, Arthur Andersen LLP said Thursday the accounting firm is engaged in talks with the Justice Department, an acknowledgment that comes amid stepped-up pressure by federal prosecutors.

Capsules
Cancer risks: Men ages 50 and over may be able to cut their risk of prostate cancer in half with daily doses of prescription or over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen), according to a Mayo Clinic study.

Masters fashions
Atlantan Jeff Barnes put on his new yellow silk shirt and khaki silk shorts as he got ready to head to the Augusta National Golf Club on Wednesday morning. He had no idea he was donning one of the newest trends in golf-course apparel.

In the know
Brown to kick back with Chan: Augusta's own James Brown will feel the wrath of Jackie Chan in the upcoming film The Tuxedo, due out in June.

Mastering your lawn
The bentgrass greens at the Augusta National Golf Club course are beautiful to look at, fast and fun to play, but the devil to maintain, according to golf course experts.

Suggs, Bilbo battling to replace Godsey
ATLANTA -- Neither A.J. Suggs nor Damarius Bilbo has played well enough during spring practice to claim Georgia Tech's starting quarterback job, but neither player has taken himself out of the running either.

Howell's Homecoming
For 15 years, Charles Howell has trumpeted the praises of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters. It's only fitting that he made his long-awaited debut wearing striped pants suitable for the Masters marching band.

Suspected bank robber in custody
An Augusta man wanted for robbing Regions Bank on Broad Street was captured by a bank security guard this afternoon after he held up the downtown branch of First Union.

Correction
A photo caption accompanying an article about the Red Carpet Tour in the business section of Wednesday's editions of The Augusta Chronicle misidentified David Duvall and Jim Lewis. Mr. Lewis was on the left in the photo and Mr. Duvall was on the right.

News you can use
April 12, 1925
The Richmond County Board of Education heartily endorsed yesterday the junior college project, provided the Finance Committee approves. This action was taken after Maj George Butler, principal of Richmond Academy, outlined all details regarding the proposed college.

Escort, owners arrested
Police interrupted the activity of an Augusta escort service during its busy Masters season Thursday, locking up the owners and the escort who was selling sex to golf visitors, authorities said.

Shrimpers feel unwanted
BRUNSWICK, Ga. - Reports that shrimp boat crews steal electricity and dump refuse at the city docks are false, and the charges are another attempt to move the shrimp boats out of the way to make room for cruise ships, shrimp boat owners say.

Lawmakers approve budget
ATLANTA - The General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a $16.1 billion state budget Wednesday, overruling complaints from some Republicans that the Legislature failed to curb spending during a recession.

Reform bill compromise stalls
ATLANTA - A bill that would overhaul the way Augusta's government operates stalled in a legislative deadlock Wednesday, despite efforts from several lawmakers to compromise on the controversial proposal.

Across Georgia
ATLANTA -Georgia tax collections were down in March for the ninth consecutive month, the state reported Thursday.

Acid leak forces 100 to evacuate
About 100 employees were evacuated Wednesday from the Rural/Metro Ambulance facility on West Wheeler Road after a backup power source leaked acid, causing smoke and irritating fumes, officials said.

Across South Carolina
COLUMBIA -The South Carolina Education Lottery announced Thursday that it deposited $16 million in the education account in the past month.

BellSouth worker saves man from fire
SAVANNAH - Jim Miller had taken five residents to doctors' appointments, hung some cabinets and was checking an elevator when someone screamed, "Fire!"

Concert to help victims
The third woman to accuse Aaron LeBlanc of rape is the host of a benefit concert tonight to raise money for Rape Crisis Services.

The tournament in tune
About 20 years ago, songwriter Dave Loggins was walking the fairways at Augusta National Golf Club with his friend Ken Chance.

From the ashes
In mythology, the phoenix was a bird of unsurpassed beauty that died a spectacular death and was born again. In Augusta, the phoenix fable has been recast, with the Sacred Heart Cultural Center replacing the legendary firebird.

Brunswick woman sues over sex tape
BRUNSWICK, Ga. - A Glynn County woman has filed a multimillion dollar lawsuit alleging Brunswick police violated her right to privacy by keeping and showing a videotape of her engaged in sex with a man who secretly recorded the activity without her consent.

House approves revised redistricting map
ATLANTA - A day after redistricting talks snarled the Georgia Senate for more than nine hours, final approval of a new political map for the chamber highlighted Wednesday's debate in the General Assembly..

Official says test just one factor
ATHENS, GA. - On the same day that the Georgia Public Policy Foundation released the most recent round of school report cards, state school Superintendent Linda Schrenko told the University Woman's Club in Athens that evaluating school and student achievement based on one standardized test score "truly does not make common sense."

I'm becoming a pro on current events of 1947
Last week, I told you about a slip of paper containing the autographs of baseball players that I found years ago in a set of encyclopedias I had bought used from a county library.

Iverson has cast removed; return uncertain
PHILADELPHIA -- Allen Iverson had the cast removed from his broken left hand Thursday, but it's uncertain whether he'll return to the Philadelphia 76ers before the playoffs.

A topsy-turvy NBA Eastern Conference
Welcome to the Eastern Conference of the NBA, where up is down and in is out, where Detroit and New Jersey - yes, the Nets and the Pistons - are division winners in a topsy-turvy season that defies explanation.

Mr. Jerry Thomas (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Entered into rest Wednesday, April 10, 2002, at the University Hospital, Mr. Jerry Thomas of Franklin Street. Funeral arrangements will be announced later. Survivors are his wife, Clementine Thomas; one

Mrs. Eula Hughes (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. - Funeral arrangements for Mrs. Eula R. Hughes of Columbus Avenue, North Augusta, who died April 11, 2002, will be announced. Stephen D. Posey Funeral Home of North Augusta, in charge of arrangements, (803)278-1181.

Mr. Mitchell Bell (WAYNESBORO, Ga.)
WAYNESBORO, Ga. - Mr. Mitchell Bell, 74, of Waynesboro, entered into rest April 10, 2002, at University Hospital. Funeral services will be held a

Mrs. Bessie Bynes (BUFFALO, N.Y.)
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Mrs. Bessie Wright Bynes, wife of the late Albert Bynes Sr., formerly of Gough, but lived in New York for 50 years died April 6, 2002, in Mark Luthern Rehabilitation Cente

Mr. James Williams (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)
HEPHZIBAH, Ga. - Mr. James Earl Williams, 40, of Old Mims Road died Tuesday, April 9, 2002, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident in Burke County. Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2002, at DeLoach Funeral H

Mrs. Phyllis Williams (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. - Funeral services for Mrs. Phyllis Gymer Williams, 83, of Reidsboro, Ver., who died April 11, 2002, at the University Hospital, will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m. from the Stephen D. Posey Funeral Home. Interment will be

Restrict cloning to non-embryo cells
THE U.S. SENATE is currently considering two possible approaches to the question of human embryo cloning and is expected to vote on the possibilities soon.

Pray for our brave military
I received two e-mails this week concerning our military in Afghanistan. I read words like "we are in a blood bath here" from a wife whose husband is over there, and other words like "eating meals ready-to-eat" (whatever that may be) while sitting in foxholes in the cold desert.
Bonnie Cox, North Augusta, S.C.

Restrict cloning to non-embryo cells
THE U.S. SENATE is currently considering two possible approaches to the question of human embryo cloning and is expected to vote on the possibilities soon.

Another dollar loser
There's a certain delight in seeing the government fall flat when it tries to manipulate people into doing what they don't want to do. Twice in recent decades, the feds have tried to get Americans to switch to dollar coins.

Success story
"It means about 25 or 30 more jobs in the next year or so, and about a $3 million investment in the community. We expect them to be up to 200 employees in the next two to three years ... It's a very big success story."

Supports new magistrate law
How interesting that the magistrate position in Aiken County has been in the headlines along with South Carolina's "education" lottery.
Karen Ramirez, Aiken, S.C.

President Bush plots to sell out the U.S. to the U.N.
Both its history and its current activity demonstrate that the Council on Foreign Relations is dedicated to the submergence of our nation and all nations in a world government run by the United Nations.
Glenda Windham, Wagener, S.C.

State employee regrets taking job
I am writing to address the sad treatment of Georgia state employees. I took a pay cut to come to work at a state facility. Growing up, both of my parents worked for the state, and I also thought that working for the state was the best thing you could do. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
Traci L. Dixon, Augusta

'Iron curtain' needed to protect Israel U.N., U.S. Mideast action urged
The situation between Israel and Palestine has reached a point where only an all-out war will be the result, unless drastic action is taken by some neutral source. Now is the time for the United Nations and the United States to boldly step in, using diplomacy and a firm hand to bring peace and stability to the Middle East.
Al Kotras, Augusta

African slave traders to pay up too?
Robert "Tunk" Martin seems to be at it again in his April 9 letter, "African-Americans seeking reparations, not handouts."
Rodney P. Benefield, Evans, Ga.

Showcasing Augusta
The Masters tournament getting under way today will draw more people to the famed Augusta National course than just the world's greatest golfers and sports fans. It will also draw 35 or more top executives from the United States and abroad, marking the 42nd Red Carpet Tour.

Calls for Israel's military defeat
The Palestinian Authority is in a very unstable position. Every person in the news media has condemned Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat for the suicide bombings of women and children.
Harry Sellers, Hephzibah, Ga.

Israeli comfort
Why does your paper think it's OK for us to go to another country and take it over so that we can live in peace, but Israel is looked at as a bad country for doing the same?
Joe Nirenberg, North Augusta, S.C.

Finance 'reform' law unconstitutional
THE U.S. CONGRESS passed and President Bush recently signed into law, with reservations, a seemingly noble campaign finance "reform" bill that, in reality, is a Trojan horse poised to attack freedom of speech.

McGhee critic beats up on editorial
Your April 8 editorial, "Historic abuse," concerning the Aiken Mile Track, currently known as McGhee's Mile, was full of personal opinion - not objective reporting...
Molly Gray, Aiken, S.C.

Improperly stored antifreeze fatal to pet
We lost a member of our family this week. My daughter and son-in-law's golden retriever succumbed to kidney failure. It wasn't that he was an old dog and that it was just his time; he was only 9 months old.
Wanda M. Williams, Martinez, Ga.

Gore for '04?
Democratic party elites and activists are not pleased at former Vice President Al Gore's return to the public stage.

Chaos still reigns
The Georgia legislative session that winds up today is one of the longest in state history. But the extra month has done nothing to lessen the chaotic last-minute rush and confusion that mark the conclusion of every General Assembly.

Why Saddam must go
Despite defying United Nations resolutions he agreed to at the conclusion of the Gulf War - including allowing U.N. inspectors to look for weapons of mass destruction - Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein bamboozled the international community into letting him sell just enough of his oil to relieve the starving and suffering of his people, especially children.

Overtime
Augusta Stallions quarterback Glen Gaunnt earned Offensive Player of the Week honors from the Arenafootball2 league offices for his performance against Jacksonville in the second week of the season.

Fishing tournament news
Sponsoring a bass, crappie, catfish or other fishing tournament? Mail or fax your flyer or information to Fishing Editor, The Augusta Chronicle, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, Ga. 30903-1928. Fax number: (706) 823-3408. Tournament reports must include first and last names of the participants, total numbers of fish caught and total weight of the catch.

Fishing tournament news
Sponsoring a bass, crappie, catfish or other fishing tournament? Mail or fax your flyer or information to Fishing Editor, The Augusta Chronicle, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, Ga. 30903-1928. Fax number: (706) 823-3408. Tournament reports must include first and last names of the participants, total numbers of fish caught and total weight of the catch.

Fishing report
The first cobia catch of the season has been reported from the Broad River near Beaufort, S.C., but things might get a bit crowded for anglers who frequent the Highway 170 bridge.

NFL Europe begins 10th season
LONDON -- It's been a hard sell, but there are small signs that the $100 million campaign to establish NFL Europe as a development league are starting to pay off as its 10th season begins this weekend.

Computer security an inexact science
Despite the near-ubiquity of firewalls and antivirus software, hacker attacks and viruses are causing more damage to computer networks every year, according to a survey by the Computer Security Institute and the FBI.

Drug card program expanding
The trend that GlaxoSmithKline began in October when it launched a discount prescription drug card for lower-income seniors has culminated in the creation of an expanded program backed by seven major pharmaceutical companies.

Promising upshot of brain cell transplant
A closer look at the brain tissue of a stroke patient who received an experimental injection of neurons has shown that the lab-made cells survived for more than two years and didn't produce a tumor.

Voice mail systems have few safeguards
Hewlett-Packard isn't saying much about how voice mail between its top executives came to be splashed across newspaper front pages, but virtually every company is vulnerable to similar leaks, security experts warn.

Astronauts clamp girder to space station
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Astronauts successfully clamped a giant girder to the international space station on Thursday, the first step of a major construction job 240 miles high.

Players choose colleges
Questions about the University of Georgia's women's basketball team's backcourt loomed all season long. And in the first round of the NCAA tournament in March, those inquiries finally were answered when the Lady Bulldogs lost and were denied a 20-win season for only the fifth time in 23 years.

S.C. State not waiting on former Gamecock
ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- South Carolina State coach Buddy Pough doesn't expect to see Derek Watson, one of his former South Carolina players, running the ball next season for the Bulldogs.